"Baby, what are you afraid of? We’re not getting divorced. Just write your husband’s name without worry."
"Exactly! My son’s bride price is 18.8, and now adding a name is so difficult?"
I laughed, recalling the five years spent with Han Yuhao, which were tougher than Wang Baochuan foraging for wild vegetables.
He always said he was saving money to buy a house, so he had never given me a gift and rarely took me out to eat.
My dad felt sorry for me eating plain food every day and was more worried about our future together. So last month, when a new housing project opened, he emptied his pockets to buy me a small apartment.
When Han Yuhao found out, he exploded in anger, blaming me for not discussing it with him first, then hinted every day about adding his name to the property deed.
I kept pretending to be deaf and mute about it, but I never expected him to directly ask for it today. How shameless!
I have a good temper, but that doesn’t mean I’m a fool who can be easily manipulated.
"Auntie, your calculations are too loud! I haven’t even married your son yet, and you want me to invest in a house first?"
"And what was that about forcing me to sign a guarantee in front of so many people? Isn’t that a bit excessive?"
"Where am I being excessive? I think it’s excessive that you haven’t married my son yet! Are you trying to scam for bride price?"
Zhang Yanyan's voice was loud, and as soon as the guests heard "scamming for bride price," they became sensitive.
She painted me as someone who wouldn’t have children or sign guarantees while demanding such a high bride price—likely just a scammer.
In just a few words from his mother, I became the target of everyone’s criticism.
The engagement banquet was completely disrupted, and I was unjustly accused of scamming for bride price.
What infuriated me the most was Zhang Yanyan's mocking face as she said, "Your dad is not in good health. Marriage is a woman's best belonging; otherwise, not only will everyone blame you for being unfilial, but your dad will also never forgive you."
I glared at Zhang Yanyan, my hands trembling with anger, unable to say a word.
She was right; my eagerness to get engaged to Han Yuhao was indeed due to my father's health.
Half a year ago, my father was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and it worsened last month. He said his only wish was to see me married.
So no matter what happened today, I had to ensure that the engagement banquet went smoothly.
I just didn't expect that this would become a leverage for Han Yuhao and his mother to control me.
For the greater good, I had no choice but to agree to add my name after the ceremony.
Seeing me relent, Zhang Yanyan's face broke into a bright smile: "That's right. From now on, we are family. You must consider your mother-in-law and husband in everything you do; that's what wifely virtue is."
Han Yuhao, realizing he had gained a house for free, brought over a large box of alcohol and started drinking straight from it.
After several rounds of drinks, he was clearly drunk and couldn't find his bearings. A few of his rowdy friends took the opportunity to stir up some trouble.
"Yuhai, do you remember that old saying from our hometown? If the daughter-in-law doesn't get beaten, the family will fall apart. So has your wife ever hit you?"
As soon as those words were spoken, I could hardly believe my ears.
Although Han Yuhao is a mama's boy, he has never said a harsh word to me in the five years we've been together, let alone laid a hand on me.
The person speaking is Zhao Youliang, Han Yuhao's childhood friend, who spends his days aimlessly wandering around and recently divorced his wife due to domestic violence.
I was seething with anger and immediately seized on his words to retort: "Then why did you end up divorced if you hit your wife? Could it be that there's something wrong with you in other ways?"
His anger flared at my words, and he picked up a bottle and approached me, saying, "You filthy woman, dare to say that again!"
Everyone was taken aback by his aggressive stance, and Zhang Yanyan came over to mediate.
But I refused to back down, pointing at him and shouting: "You all want to pull off that tacky Wedding Chaos even though Han Yuhao and I are only engaged? Just imagine how ridiculous it would be if we actually got married!"
However, Zhang Yanyan became more assertive and argued back: "Who says this is a tacky Wedding Chaos! This is clearly our traditional practice; why does it not work for you? In our hometown, which bride hasn't been beaten? The son listens to his mother; women deserve to be hit! Go ahead and hit me!"
I flipped the table over and shouted loudly: "I've had enough! If this wedding can happen, then fine; if not, then so be it!"
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